Upper Street knife killer jailed for 12 years

A SERIAL criminal who stabbed a man to death has been jailed for manslaughter today (Friday).

Reece Williams, 22, from King’s Cross, was found guilty of killing Marcel Campbell in Islington in May 21 this year and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

The two men “grappled” in a van as it drove down Upper Street before the spilled out onto the road in front where dozens of passers-by watched in horror as Mr Campbell suffered 17 wounds, the Old Bailey heard.

One cut was so deep it severed a major artery in the heart.

Williams fled the scene south down Upper Street in jogging bottoms covered in blood.

Members of the public tried to give Mr Campbell, 30, first aid and called emergency services, but the Tottenham resident was pronounced at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams said: “This was a savage assault that resulted in the death of Marcel Campbell. The real motive behind this attack has never been established but by stabbing Mr Campbell multiple times, Williams’ has deprived a loving family of their son.”

He added: “No length of imprisonment can change what has happened, but I hope the family can draw comfort from the fact that justice has been done today.”

Marcel Campbell

Mr Campbell had been in a van helping his friend Gabriel Prempeh on the day he died.

When Mr Prempeh had completed his last delivery just after 5pm Marcel had asked him to drive the van they were in towards Islington.

He was driven to a block of flats in Killick Street where he met with Williams. Williams got into the van and all three men drove to Upper Street.

A short time later an argument took place between Mr Campbell and Williams inside the van, which turned violent.

Mr Prempeh said in his witness statement that Williams started punching Williams from the back. Then he heard Mr Campbell say “he poked me.”

“I saw Marcel’s friend hold a knife with a long silver blade. I was in shock, Marcel was on the floor, I was trying to grab the knife,” Mr Prempeh added.

Williams handed himself in at Holborn Police Station four days after the stabbing.

He said he acted in self-defence after Mr Campbell and Mr Prempeh would not let him out of the car.

The court heard that the three men had more than 40 previous convictions between them.

Williams had been convicted of being in possession of an offensive weapon in 2017 while Mr Prempah and Mr Campbell had a long history of drug dealing.